StMU’s 2013 Advent Theme and Prayer Opportunities

Maranatha, Come, O Lord, exemplifies this longing, which is why University Ministry has chosen it as our 2013 Advent Theme.

During Advent, we recall a time when the people cried out for a Savior to deliver them from darkness. The Savior that would come was the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

This crying out is not foreign to us today. Whether the darkness exists around us or inside of us, Advent is a time when we can reclaim the light of the Messiah in our own lives. As John Henry Newman offers, “This then is to watch: To desire his second coming from our affectionate and grateful remembrance of his first.” In this sense, Advent is more than simply waiting for Jesus’ birth; it is about taking time to reflect how Jesus’ life has influenced our lives. Advent offers us an opportunity to grow deeper in the love that God shares with us through Jesus.

The Online Advent Retreats

During Jesus’ life, he models for us what it means to make space in our lives to allow God’s grace to speak to our hearts. We encourage you to separate yourself from the pre-Christmas chaos and rest in the hope of Advent. For this reason, we hope that our Daily 3-Minute Advent Retreat offers you an opportunity to take a break from your day. Each reflection was created by a member of the Pastoral Team at St. Mary’s University, and was established so that you can read through the screens at your own pace, allowing for personal reflection and prayer.

The Advent Reflection Blogs

The Blogs were written by various student leaders from across the St. Mary’s campus. Each student was given a line from our Advent Litany and asked to reflect upon how they saw that particular line moving them this season of Advent. As you read the prayer, consider your own thoughts about each line, and remember to visit the students’ blogs to see how they challenge themselves, and all of us, to actively bring about God’s Kingdom today.

Advent Litany

Child of promise come,
Revealer of God come,
Bringer of life come,
Come to the beaten and battered,
Come to the despised and rejected,
Come to all in whom the divine image is still distorted,
We wait in joyful expectation,
Come not as a distant emperor but as a helpless babe,
Come not as a prince in a gold palace, but as a displaced and frightened refugee,
Come not as a man of power, but in love and compassion.
Come to those outcast like shepherds in the field,
Come to foreigners like Magi watching from afar,
Come to rich and poor, young and old, male and female,
We wait in hopeful anticipation,
Come to bless all creation with your love,
Come to bring salvation on the earth,
Come to rule with justice and peace,
Come Child of promise, open the windows of our hearts,
Come Christ of compassion, open the doors of our homes,
Come Prince of Peace, open the pathways to our lives,
We wait with all the peoples of the earth,
Child of hope we welcome your coming,
Christ of life we welcome your coming,
King of glory we welcome your coming.

Amen.

If you are planning to regularly participate in the Advent Retreats or Blogs, and would like to registrar your participation with University Ministry, please email or call Irene at iquesnot[@]stmarytx.edu or (210) 436-3065.

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About I.Q.

Irene began working with St. Mary's University in August of 2008. She currently serves as the Minister for Faith Formation and Faith Enrichment with University Ministry and as adjunct faculty with the Theology Department. Irene holds a M.A. in Systematic & Philosophical Theology and Ethics & Social Theory. As well as a B.A. in Religious Studies and Philosophy.

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This blog is a forum for University Ministry to share news, updates and reflections with the university community, alumni and friends of St. Mary's University. We welcome your thoughts and ideas for expanding our online pastoral outreach.
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